Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly
work against the body's own tissues. It can be hard to diagnose because it can affect
almost any organ in the body, and its symptoms — including joint pain, fatigue,
muscle pain, rash, mouth ulcers, and hair loss — vary widely from patient to
patient. That is one of the greatest challenges of treating the disease for both doctors
and their patients.

About Lupus

A healthy immune system produces proteins called antibodies that normally protect
the body against bacteria and viruses that cause infections. But when someone has
lupus, the immune system can't tell the difference between the body's healthy cells
and bacteria and viruses, so the antibodies attack the body's healthy cells.

What Causes Lupus?

Although the cause of lupus is unknown, researchers think that many factors may
trigger the disease.

Genetics might play a role. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to lupus
that is then activated by an infection, certain medications, or extreme physical or
emotional stress. The hormone estrogen also may play a role and could help explain
why it's more common in females than males.

Types of Lupus

The three main types of lupus are:

Systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, which can affect multiple
organs in the body and is the most common form of the disease. Although SLE typically
develops in people in their twenties, thirties, or forties, some people first notice
symptoms during childhood or adolescence (after age 10).

SLE can be difficult
to diagnose because no two patients will have an identical set of complaints, and
the symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for those of other conditions, like juvenile
idiopathic arthritis, Crohn's disease, Lyme disease, and mononucleosis.

Cutaneous (or skin) lupus, which usually affects only the
skin and is characterized by a rash on the scalp, legs, or arms. The rash has
sharply defined patches and can be raised from the skin.

There are two
types of cutaneous lupus: discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), which
can cause scarring; and subacute cutaneouslupus erythematosus(SCLE), which doesn't cause scars. Discoid lupus affects approximately
15% of all lupus patients, but is rare in children. Occasionally, discoid lupus occurs
with systemic lupus.

Drug-induced lupus, which accounts for about 10% of all
lupus cases, occurs as a reaction to specific kinds of medications. In kids, anti-seizure
medications, thyroid medications, and acne medications can cause lupus. The symptoms
are similar to those of the systemic form, but are usually milder and go away after
the medication is stopped.

Diagnosing Lupus

The two rashes commonly associated with lupus are:

malar rash — a rash across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose (also called
a "butterfly" rash because it is shaped like a butterfly)

discoid rash — circular, red or hyperpigmented raised patches of skin that
often occur on the face, neck, or chest

Other common symptoms:

sensitivity to ultraviolet light — either sunlight or, occasionally, certain
types of fluorescent light (also called photosensitivity) — that results in
a rash

ulcers in the nose or mouth

nonerosive arthritis (arthritis that does not destroy the bones around the joints)

inflammation of the lining around the heart, abdomen, or lungs (called serositis)

kidney problems, either mild (with no early symptoms) or severe (such as those
that lead to swelling in the legs)

positive blood test for antinuclear antibodies (ANA), specific proteins that are
a hallmark of rheumatic or autoimmune disease. More than 95% of lupus patients have
a positive ANA.

Someone with four or more of these signs or symptoms is likely
to have SLE. Most patients don't develop all of them. Before making a diagnosis,
doctors perform a physical exam and take blood tests to rule out any other diseases.

In addition to those symptoms, patients with lupus often have fever, weakness,
fatigue, or weight loss. They may experience muscle aches, loss of appetite, swollen
glands, hair loss, or abdominal pain, which can be accompanied by nausea, diarrhea,
and vomiting.

Sometimes the fingers, toes, nose, or ears will be particularly sensitive to cold
and will turn blue and white in cold temperatures, a condition known as Raynaud's
phenomenon.

Managing Lupus

There is no known cure for lupus, but the symptoms of the disease can be controlled.
Often a patient with lupus has a health care team that includes specialists who can
help treat the symptoms. That team may include:

a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions of the joints and connective
tissues)

a nephrologist (a doctor who specializes in kidney diseases)

an advanced practice nurse

a social worker

other consulting doctors, like a dermatologist, psychologist, or infectious disease
specialist

Part of managing lupus is preventing flares — times when the disease gets
worse. During a flare-up, a person with lupus may feel much more tired, sick, feverish,
and achy than usual. Almost all lupus patients take medication to control inflammation
and reduce the risk of flares.

Doctors often prescribe corticosteroids to control inflammation. These aren't the
same steroids some athletes take. If a doctor prescribes one of these medicines, the
dosage and any side effects will be carefully monitored.

For day-to-day muscle and joint pain, patients can take acetaminophen or any of
a variety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen,
or naproxen.

Almost all patients with lupus take antimalarial drugs (medicines first developed
to prevent and treat malaria that also have proved helpful with lupus). Antimalarial
drugs often help treat skin rashes and joint pain, and help prevent coronary
artery disease and the involvement of other organ systems in lupus.

Some children who also have kidney disease, very low blood cell counts, or
other organ involvement, may require more aggressive treatment with immunosuppressive
drugs, which lower the body's immune system responses.

In 2011, belimumab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
the treatment of lupus, especially for arthritis, rashes, and fatigue.

Making Lifestyle Changes

Though the course that lupus takes cannot be predicted, certain lifestyle changes
may help minimize flare-ups. Patients should avoid too much sun exposure by wearing
sunscreen and protective clothing when outside.

Regular exercise can help prevent fatigue
and joint stiffness. A balanced diet and sufficient rest also are important for maintaining
general health and well-being.

When to Call the Doctor

Kids and teens with lupus are prone to the usual childhood illnesses, such as a
viral infection or diarrhea. However, a fever,
rash, or mouth sore might indicate the beginning of a flare. As you and your child
become more familiar with the disease, you may learn to recognize signs that a flare-up
is around the corner.